Don't Put Grills on Covered Porches - It's the Law!

[Lori Allen _]

Don't let the music fool you. This is no laughing matter.

See http://www.cleveland19.com/story/336723 ... l-on-porch
See attachment below:

GrillFactSheet.pdf

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One-quarter (27%) of home structure fires involving grillsstarted on or in a courtyard, terrace, or patio, or on an exterior balcony or open porch

Note that while most fire codes only porhibit cooking on covered porches, balconies, etc. Lakewood local codes take it a step further, prohibiting even the storage of any portable or outdoor grill or associated fuel, or kindle on covered front porches.

1501.17 FRONT OR SIDE YARD GRILLING AND STORAGE. - (b) No person, tenant or leaseholder shall store any portable or outdoor grill or associated fuel, or kindle in any multi-family dwelling unit or on or below any balcony constructed in conjunction therewith , or within ten feet of any structure housing more than three families.

Since Fire Chief Gilman is probably quite busy with his paramedic courses, I will cut him some slack and say that the enforcement of this ordinance should go to Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers.

On virtually every street, you can see multiple violations of this code. Again, this is no laughing matter. This could easily cause deaths, severe injuries, and damage to neighboring properties.

[cameron karslake]

In such a dense community, it's critical that people get the information about such hazards. We were approached one time by the Fire Chief about our backyard chimenea giving off too much smoke. They gave us Lakewood's written code for such fires. Apparently, it's against the law to have any fire closer than 15 feet from a permanent structure like a fence, garage or house in Lakewood. How often do you think that is violated? You guessed it, hundreds of times a year! With all our tight properties, it's a tall order to have an open, 30 foot circle around any source of flame. Enforcement could all but eliminate grilling in Lakewood!

Thankfully, I can keep my grill in my garage. Many people don't have that luxury here though.

[todd vainisi]

it's a tall order to have an open, 30 foot circle around any source of flame.

Ridiculous.

[Brian Essi]

If I am recalling right, the McKinley Place development was granted some sort of exception to the "BBQ Grill of the Porch" thingy in order to help sell/market those units. I seem to recall Honest Dru making mention of the need for this exception at a Council meeting some time ago.

That was before Honest Dru was hired by the McKinley Place developer.

[Bridget Conant]

If I am recalling right, the McKinley Place development was granted some sort of exception to the "BBQ Grill of the Porch" thingy in order to help sell/market those units. I seem to recall Honest Dru making mention of the need for this exception at a Council meeting some time ago.

That was before Honest Dru was hired by the McKinley Place developer.

What a coincidence!

Seems like that happens so frequently in Lakewood.

[Lori Allen _]

Brian,

Thanks for mentioning that. I had not noticed that before.

When did Mr. Siley know he was leaving City Hall to work for Liberty? Was it before or after this exception was made? If it was the former, that would seem to be a slight conflict of interest. Of course, that is par for the course with this crowd.